August 2, 2004 Major FASCAR Expansion Underway By Jack Smith -KARNAC.com NASCAR Returning To Florida Asphalt Tracks? Operation Will Purchase Columbia Motorsports Park FASCAR (Florida Association of Stock Car Auto Racing) looks to be headed in the direction of teaming up with NASCAR in 2005. FASCAR owner Robert Hart, General Manager Don Nerone and Marketing Director, Terry Roberts met with NASCAR officials Monday morning to hammer out plans to bring the NASCAR logo and sanction to FASCAR speedways of Orlando and New Smyrna Speedway, and Columbia Motorsports Park. Jim Hunter, Vice President of Corporate Communications/Regional Touring/NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, along with Chris Boals and Ed Bennett had what was described as "a very positive meeting" with the FASCAR front office. The NASCAR Grand National Division and NASCAR Featherlite Modifieds are some of the types of events being discussed for the 2005 season. Though nothing is firm at this point, FASCAR Marketing Director Terry Roberts said "When you have a meeting with NASCAR and FASCAR and they sit down at the same table and talk, that's pretty good." "All the pavement tracks left in Florida that run next year with the exception of Auburndale, will run a FASCAR event of some sort", Roberts said. FASCAR is also in the process of solidifying it's position as the strongest organization in the ever changing landscape of Florida speedways with the purchase of Lake City's Columbia Motorsports Park. While not official until next Monday, KARNAC.com has learned that is the date FASCAR will close on the Lake City half-mile speedway and will begin it's own operation there immediately. Columbia is currently operated by speedway owner Bert Ashleman, and is also the home of the Ashelman's Florida Pro Series, one of the two super late model touring series in Florida. FASCAR is expected to combine the two super late series, thus simplifying scheduling and other issues which racers have to deal with. On another front FASCAR is moving forward with plans to expand it's role in the Florida traveling series game by adding a truck series to the mix. FASCAR already operates the Sunbelt Super Late Model series, Goodyear Challenge Late Model series and Penske Pro Modified series. Official announcements about the new truck series are expected as soon as this week, as soon as the details are ironed out with the potential sponsors. These changes come on the heels of several announced or pending track closings (Sunshine Speedway, Hialeah Speedway, JAX Raceways, and Thundercross) and the apparent collapse of the FASTRUCK series as a force in Florida racing. In an article that appeared in the Lakeland Ledger over the weekend, written by John Barker, the case is made that a new truck series is need as only a couple of venues exist for the FASTRUCKS in 2005. The FASCAR Sunbelt series and the FASCAR Penske Pro Modified series will be running at Lakeland's USA International Speedway on August 7 at 7 PM. For more information on the FASCAR organization, it's tracks and touring series, visit their web site at www.fascar.org. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!